Becoming a Student / Private Sessions

If you have developed a stable daily meditation practice, it’s possible to become a student at Mountain Cloud by taking the following steps…

Attend enough sits and events to feel clearly that Mountain Cloud is a community and place where you’d like to practice.

Attend several of our “introduction to meditation” classes which are offered both online and onsite the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30pm MT. Or attend a number of the Sunday morning (10am) onsite Introduction to Zen Meditation class which meets weekly in our zendo.

Listen and watch these introductory talks (podcasts and videos) recorded by Henry.

Attend at least two multi day retreats (5 days or longer each). During the covid-19 lockdown, attend at least four virtual retreats.

Read the Guidelines for Members written by Henry.

Become a member of Mountain Cloud. Click here for details.

Read some of our recommended books:

  • Zen: the Authentic Gate, Yamada Koun
  • Three Pillars of Zen, Philip Kapleau
  • Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind, Shunryu Suzuki
  • Mindfulness in Plain English, Bhante Gunaratana

Private Interviews / Dokusan for Students / Extended Interviews

Henry is not currently taking any new students or offering dokusan or spiritual counseling sessions.

Valerie Forstman is taking a limited number of new students. If you are interested in working with Valerie, please complete some of the suggested readings and classes, then contact (email) her to introduce yourself and set up a private interview. When you email her, introduce yourself and briefly tell her about your practice and interest.   v.forstman@tcu.edu

After you have one or more private sessions, you and Valerie will decide if you want to work together as teacher / student. Once this happens, you are eligible for Dokusan (10-min sessions) and access to our automated scheduling system. To gain access to this online scheduling system once approved by Valerie, please contact Kieran

Private interviews are becoming increasingly popular with new students and practitioners. Valerie’s schedule has become extremely full. We have several new teachers who offer practice guidance, Valerie or Kieran will refer you to an appropriate teacher if you are qualified and interested.

Private interviews with Valerie and other teachers are primarily done online. So you don’t need to be local to Santa Fe in order to work with Valerie or another MCZC approved teacher.

Please contact Kieran to gain access to this online scheduling system once approved by Valerie

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You can show your gratitude for Mountain Cloud events, retreats, podcasts and other teachings by making a one-time gift, or by becoming a supporting member.

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